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The bulldust on Barlow

By Mr Dandalooa

When 22-year-old Michael Barlow went down after a collision with fellow on-baller Rhys Palmer in the last quarter of Fremantle’s 57-point win over Port Adelaide at Subiaco Oval recently, there were gasps, sighs, and many a head held low.

Those watching saw the rookie gun go down heavily after the nasty contact and never quite get back up, which forced him to leave the ground on a stretcher.

In the days that followed football manager Chris Bond slammed speculation that Barlow, who was teetering of Brownlow medal greatness, could be out for all of next year as well as this season.

It is now known that the youngster broke both the tibia and fibula bones in his left leg.

He has since undergone surgery and sources tell FootyGoss that it was a success.

But in football, like any sport, there sceptics and detractors, with many suggesting Barlow’s horrific injury could see him sidelined the entire season next year.

Bond was quick to say otherwise.

He said speculation about the speediness of Barlow’s return from the club’s point of view was disappointing.

“We’re really optimistic, from the medical feedback, that he’ll be back playing next year,” he was quoted saying outside St John of God hospital in Subiaco.

“The medical feedback is that the operation went really well. It was a clean break, one that was higher up in the leg, which is a positive thing.

“We’re waiting to see just exactly when he’ll get out, but we think that’ll be in the next few days.”

But in saying that Bond apparently would not be drawn in to when he thought Barlow resume playing.

Bond did say however that Barlow was getting a lot of support from family, team-mates and even from players from opposition clubs.